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Reviews
The Heritage: Black Athletes, a Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism by Howard Bryant
chazzerguy's review against another edition
2.0
I have been reading some real page turners this summer. This just isn't one of them. I hate that. It's not that I don't think the subject matter is important and profound. But any time I start looking ahead to figure out how much is left in a chapter, or I start skipping entire paragraphs, it's a sign I'm just not digging it. And that's what I was doing starting with the second chapter. Sorry Howard. I was really looking forward to this one...
megan_d's review against another edition
5.0
A great book, especially when you think of the context that Colin Kaepernick still doesn't have a job with the league and Deshaun Watson recently signed a fully-guaranteed 5-year deal with the Browns recently.
I know the book focuses largely on the most famous Black athletes of each "era" and their response (or in many cases, lack of response) to the major political events of the time, I do wish there were more about female athletes particularly the Williams sisters and those in the WNBA. Despite that, I feel that this book is very much necessary reading for any critical sports fan today. Howard Bryant's writing is clear, concise, and the story starting with Paul Robeson winding all the way back to Colin Kaepernick kneeling and beyond gives pretty much as complete as possible story of Black activism and lack there of within sports and how sports are political and how White America doesn't care about the "right" kind of politics in their sports.
I know the book focuses largely on the most famous Black athletes of each "era" and their response (or in many cases, lack of response) to the major political events of the time, I do wish there were more about female athletes particularly the Williams sisters and those in the WNBA. Despite that, I feel that this book is very much necessary reading for any critical sports fan today. Howard Bryant's writing is clear, concise, and the story starting with Paul Robeson winding all the way back to Colin Kaepernick kneeling and beyond gives pretty much as complete as possible story of Black activism and lack there of within sports and how sports are political and how White America doesn't care about the "right" kind of politics in their sports.
pamiverson's review against another edition
4.0
Thought-provoking examination of Black athletes and their activism (or lack thereof.) Interesting exploration of patriotism and the flag and how it became so commercial and thus controversial, e.g., Colin Kaepernick's kneeling during the Star-Spangled Banner. The book was written several years ago, so I'm glad I got to hear him at the UUA General Assembly where he talked about athletes' responses to the recent Black Lives Matter reckoning. I hear him on NPR as he continues to explore the intersections of racism, sports, and activism.
pmiddlet's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
cajunhusker's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It takes a good look at the history of athletic activism, tracking it through the early 1900s to the modern day and exploring issues including changes around 9/11 and paid patriotism (which finally gave me the vocab for something that has irked me for several years). For the sport fan, the political scientist, and the everyday reader as they try to make sense of new movements.
swt's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Was not expecting any of this. Imagine it won’t go over well with some, but so well done. Kudos to Bryant for this one.
yossikhe's review against another edition
4.0
Howard Bryant escribe muy bien, su estilo es claro e invita al lector. El tema del libro es interesante: la intersección entre el deporte, el racismo en EEUU y cómo los atletas afroamericanos se han pronunciado al respecto a través de la historia. Bryant provee buen contexto en el libro, presenta argumentos convincentes y genera cuestionamientos sobre el rol del “patriotismo” en el deporte norteamericano. La tesis central del libro, que el 9/11 cambió la manera en la que el público estadounidense une el deporte y el nacionalismo está bien sustentada e investigada. Personalmente, no estoy de acuerdo con algunas de sus conclusiones. Creo que cuando habla de las supuestas contradicciones de atletas millonarios hablando de justicia social en un mundo capitalista, incurre en el mismo error de sus detractores que critica al principio del libro: la noción de que alguien con dinero no debe de compartir sus ideas políticas. De la misma manera, pienso que podría haberle dado menos voz a antisemitas notorios como Al Sharpton a través del libro.
Dicho eso, el contexto que provee para entender el panorama deportivo hoy en día, desde Colin Kaepernick a LeBron James es invaluable. Un verdadero “must-read” para los aficionados a los deportes de EEUU.
Dicho eso, el contexto que provee para entender el panorama deportivo hoy en día, desde Colin Kaepernick a LeBron James es invaluable. Un verdadero “must-read” para los aficionados a los deportes de EEUU.